THE STORY: All is not as it seems on Wisteria Lane, the pristinely manicured suburban setting of television’s hottest prime-time soap. We learn this within the first few minutes of the DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES pilot episode, when seemingly sane and happy housewife Mary Alice Young removes a revolver from a drawer and shoots herself in the head. In the process of trying to make sense of her sudden and inexplicable suicide, Mary Alice’s friends end up revealing just as many secrets about themselves and their neighbors as they do about her past. Narrated by the spirit of Mary Alice, each episode follows the ups and downs in the lives of bored trophy wife Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria), klutzy-yet-charming Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), frustrated stay-at-home-mom Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman), and anal-retentive homemaker Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross). As love-struck Susan competes for the attention of new neighbor Mike Delfino (James Denton) with neighborhood seductress Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan), Gabrielle takes a liking to her hunky 17-year-old gardener. Meanwhile, Bree attempts to fix her life’s problems through obsessive housecleaning, and Lynette struggles to control her children while at the same time keeping her sanity.
Picking up where the first left off, the show’s second season finds each character in a state of turmoil. Having lost her husband, Bree uses white wine as a tool for coping with her conniving son and psychopath suitor. Meanwhile Gabrielle ponders whether or not to have a baby, Lynette shakes up her marital dynamics by going back to work, and Susan attempts to move on from Mike. The season also adds several new characters to the mix, including new Wisteria Lane resident Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard). And as everybody knows, new neighbors bring new mysteries. What, for example, are those strange sounds coming from Betty’s basement?
THE EPISODES:
24. Next
The second season picks up where the first left off. Rex is dead, and, new neighbors, the Applewhites have moved in. Gabrielle, Lynette, and Susan attempt to comfort Bree while Phyllis, Rex’s mother, arrives on Wisteria Lane. Meanwhile Mike and Susan deal with Zach while Gabrielle struggles with the two men in her life.
25. You Could Drive a Person Crazy
Susan is surprised, and not pleasantly so, when she finds out who Edie’s new boyfriend is—her ex-husband Karl. Meanwhile Lynette goes back to work, leaving Tom at home in charge of the house, which turns out to be a better plan in theory. Lynette has a problem of getting Tom to keep the house clean on a more daily basis. Bree’s mother-in-law, Phyllis (guest star Shirley Knight), continues to drive Bree crazy with her melodramatic grieving in public places, and Carlos makes an unusual request to Gabrielle after his life is threatened behind bars. Also, Mike and Susan try to figure out where their relationship stands after Mike’s previous bombshell to Susan. Susan is late with her newspaper payments, and gets in a fight with the paperboy. Gabrielle brings cash to a woman in a bad neighborhood, which she ultimately holds on to herself. Lastly, pharmacist George reemerges in back into Bree’s life, which sets off an alarm to mother-in-law Phyllis and her suspicions surrounding her son’s death. In the last scene of the espisode, Phyllis makes a call to the life insurance company and informs the agent that Bree is dating.
26. You’ll Never Get Away From Me
Bree’s mother-in-law, Phyllis (guest star Shirley Knight), gets her in trouble with the law, Susan tries bravely to accept Edie’s new role in Julie’s life, Lynette’s demanding boss (guest star Joely Fisher) makes her miss Parker’s first day of kindergarten. Bree later on takes a polygraph test to prove her innocence in Rex’s death and realizes she has feelings for George. Gabrielle finally comes to the truth about Carlos and John after seeing John with another woman. Also, Gabrielle has a new gardener, Ralph (guest star Alejandro Patino) who has just start mowing her lawn. Both are flirtatious, although Gabrielle holds back by trying to keep him out of the house and to just work.
27. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
On one of Gabrielle’s prison visits to see Carlos she creates a terrible riot, which lands Carlos in hot water. Gabrielle meets an interesting attorney whom she is attracted to. Also, Susan puts her feelings aside and joins Mike in searching for his son Zach, although Susan finds Zach when alone. She learns of his intentions to get back together with Julie, and feels she must take matters into her own hands. Lynette is surprised to find out that her son Parker has an imaginary friend. Lastly, Geroge and Andrew both vie for Bree’s attention as they both compete in making each other look bad in front of her, until one fight goes a little too far.
28. They Asked Me Why I Believe In You
Susan’s longtime book agent and dear friend, Lonny Moon (guest star Wallace Shawn), gets into financial trouble. Lynette is forced to go out to bars night after night with her man-hungry boss, Nina (guest star Joely Fisher). Also, Bree re-buries Rex amid police suspicions. Bree also finds out about Rex’s feelings about her prior to his death. Lastly, Gabrielle hires hotshot lawyer David Bradley (guest star Adrian Pasdar) to defend Carlos in court but Carlos rejects him after he witnesses an attraction between David and Gabrielle.
29. I Wish I Could Forget You
Mike and Susan face a crisis in their relationship when Susan tries to get Paul Young arrested by confessing to a police officer that he killed Mrs. Huber and Mike has her diaries as proof. The officer goes over to Mike to get the story, but Mike denies the whole thing. Later, Susan’s mother pays them a visit. As Carlos continues serving his jail sentence, Gabrielle valiantly tries to free him. Bree goes to a romantic hotel with George, but requests they sleep in separate rooms.
30. Color and Light (a.k.a. I Must Be Dreaming)
Gabrielle tries to revisit her past when old friends come to town, but doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s three months pregnant when getting dressed up. With the aftermath of her breakup with Mike, Susan finds temporary solace from her ex-husband Karl as his relationship with Edie hits a bump. Also, the Scavo family learns more about the new neighbors, the Harpers when they babysit their children and uncover a sex tape of the couple. Lastly, Caleb gets lose from the basement and roams around Wisteria Lane at night, which leads to major consequences for Gabrielle.
31. The Sun Won’t Set
All of Wisteria Lane is panicked by a burglar loose in the neighborhood; a neighborhood watch committee is formed; Bree finds out some disturbing information about George; Sophie (guest star Lesley Ann Warren) and Morty (guest star Bob Newhart) get married; at the wedding, Susan learns who her real father is and is determined to find him.
32. That’s Good, That’s Bad
George stalks Bree, despite her efforts to break up with him. Lynette takes charge of office politics. Carlos is paroled from prison and returns a new man, and Gabrielle is jealous of his new ‘holier-than-thou’ confidante. Susan meets her birth father and tries to begin a relationship with him.
33. Coming Home (a.k.a. I’ve Got You Under My Skin)
Lynette tries to put a daycare center in Parcher & Murphy by recruiting employees’ children to get the program started. Gabrielle and Sister Mary Bernard (guest star Melinda Page Hamilton) face off over Carlos’ mission of mercy to Africa. Bree brings Andrew home and tells him about the revelation of George poisoning his father Rex and killing him. Lastly, Susan confronts her biological father’s wife after she thinks they are having an affair.
34. One More Kiss
Gabrielle kisses Tom and Lynette is not happy and drives a wedge in her friendship with Gabrielle. Paul attacks Mike. The housewives become more suspicious of Betty and her family. Andrew is trying to blackmail Bree, but Bree gets some assistance from Susan’s ex, Karl.
35. We’re Gonna Be All Right
After a number of bad dates, Susan finally meets Dr. Right. Susan flirts with a handsome doctor, but accidentally knees him in the crotch. Meanwhile, some old pictures of Gabrielle turn up on the Internet; Tom is alarmed when his kids come down with chicken pox — because he’s never had it. Bree gets arrested. Lastly, after months of silence, Noah Taylor contacts Mike Delfino.
36. There’s Something About a War
Dr. Ron informs Susan that she needs a Splenectomy, and it’s the doctor’s first time, which leads Susan rather uneasy. Gabrielle is not so pleased when Carlos brings up the topic of “baby” again as Carlos still wants to continue trying to conceive again. Gabrielle and her arch-enemy Sister Mary Bernard finally face off in church when Gabrielle confronts her about getting rid of her from Carlos’ life. Tom decides to apply for an empty position at Lynette’s job, which leads to the arousal of past issues in their marriage. Lastly, Matthew and Danielle’s relationship is found out by both their mothers, which leads to big repercussions later on for Bree and her past secret with Andrew last year.
37. Silly People
Tom tries hard to bond with his new boss, but at the expense of his dignity when playing childish games at the office. Tom tries to get Lynette to help him out. Meanwhile, Susan gets some help from Edie and Karl on her situation of getting health insurance before her upcoming surgery. Edie and Karl coerce Susan to marry a gay man who’s hiding the fact that he’s gay from his mother. When the plan eventually fails Karl gives Susan an offer she can’t refuse. Also, Gabrielle becomes very attached to a temporary Chinese immigrant housekeeper who is staying with Solis’ after being rescued by another slave owner employer. Lastly, Bree tries to uncover more about the Applewhites by sneaking into their house to meet Caleb, which eventually leads to a heart-to-heart conversation between Betty and Bree.
38. Thank You So Much
Edie thinks that Karl is going to pop the question after she finds an engagement ring and prenuptial agreement in his briefcase, but Karl is actually trying to get Susan to marry him instead so she can get insurance for her upcoming surgery. Also, Gabrielle and Carlos learn she is highly unable to conceive a child again because of complications caused from her recent miscarriage. At the same time, Carlos learns more about the tension-filled relationship between Gabrielle and her mother when she drops by Wisteria Lane for a visit. Lastly, Bree’s problem with alcohol intensifies with the notice of Lynette after Bree babysits her children.
39. There Is No Other Way
Carlos and Gabrielle decide to adopt, but the process comes to be a lot more difficult than either had expected. Susan finally has her surgery as she finally has medical insurance. Meanwhile, a showdown between Bree and her son Andrew lead to a full out war between mother and son. Also, a dying Noah Taylor learns more about Paul Young and his biological grandson Zach. Lastly, Tom is having more difficulty at the job when having to take orders from his boss and wife Lynette.
40. Could I Leave You?
Susan invites Dr. Ron to meet Karl after he finds out about their arranged marriage. Lynette is surprised that a woman at work is still breastfeeding her child of five. Gabrielle becomes very picky when choosing a birth mother, and a beautiful baby. Bree has to deal with a fresh accusation from Andrew, that of repressed memories.
41. Everybody Says Don’t
Carlos and Gaby learn the truth about their baby. An ex-stripper gives birth to her child, and Gabrielle holds her for the first time. Also, Paul Young comes to face his demons head on with Wisteria Lane. Lastly, Lynette is forced to give a court deposition about Bree’s drinking and alcoholism.
42. Don’t Look at Me
Lynette is called in to her kids’ school as Parker has gone from being obsessed with Dinosaurs to being obsessed with nudity. Carlos and Gabrielle must go to court to get custody of their baby, Lily, after they find out she was legally someone else’s child. Bree’s father Henry and stepmother Eleanor (special guest star Carol Burnett) come to town to mediate between Andrew and her. Susan is convinced that Karl doesn’t really love Edie. Later, she goes to a movie theatre, and spots Mike with a date.
43. It Wasn’t Meant to Happen
Gabrielle and Carlos are shocked when the father of their baby shows up to take the baby back. Cops and a lawyer arrive to a house on Wisteria Lane. Lynette tries to help Ed heat up his sex life. Meanwhile, Karl decides to break up with Edie, as Edie has no idea that Susan is the “other woman.” Edie causes a fight to break out in a bar, after she trips a waitress. Lastly, Bree is taken a step forward to help Peter when she finds out how bad his other addiction is.
44. I Know Things Now
Bree and Andrew finally reach an impasse in their relationship as tension has finally reached a critical point. Meanwhile, Ed finally fires Tom with the pressure from his wife. Lastly, Edie’s private detective begins to uncover numerous details of Karl and Susan’s relationship as of recently. Gabrielle is having a tough time keeping her servant in the country.
45. No One Is Alone
Reaching the end of her rope, Bree checks herself into the Fairview psychiatric hospital. Lynette suspects that Tom is cheating on her, so she follows him to Atlantic City. Susan must start over. Felicia Tilman has more in store for Paul Young, resulting in their war reaching its final battle. Gaby and Carlos get Xiao-Mei pregnant.
46. Remember
Flashbacks (featuring special guest star Steven Culp and Jesse Metcalfe) take us back to to moving-in day on Wisteria Lane for Bree, Lynette, Susan and Gabrielle and to how Mary Alice brought them all together. Also, in other flashbacks the Applewhites’ dark past in Chicago is revealed. Back in the present, Bree gets some frightening news. Susan moves into a trailer after her house was set on fire. Lynette faces a crisis in her marriage after finding out that Tom had been unfaithful. Gabrielle and Carlos learn more about Xiao-Mei. Zach inherits a lot of money from his grandfather Noah, who has passed away.
47. Remember Flashbacks (featuring special guest star Steven Culp and Jesse Metlcalfe) take us back to to moving-in day on Wisteria Lane for Bree, Lynette, Susan and Gabrielle and to how Mary Alice brought them all together. Also, in other flashbacks the Applewhites’ dark past in Chicago is revealed. Back in the present, Bree gets some frightening news about Danielle and her boyfriend Matthew. Susan moves into a trailer after her house was burned down. Mike competes with Karl for Susan. Lynette faces a crisis in her marriage, after finding out something new regarding Tom and his past. Gabrielle learns more about Carlos and Xiao-Mei seemingly closer relatiosnhip. Also, the season ends with Mike’s life in question from a suprising nemesis.
Guest star: Zane Huett (Parker Scavo), Shane Kinsman (Porter Scavo), Brent Kinsman (Preston Scavo), Richard Burgi (Karl Meyer) , Kyle MacLachlan (Orland), Jesse Metcalfe (John Rowland), Roger Bart (George Willimas), Steven Culp (Rex Van De Camp)
THE EXTRAS:
# Unrated, extended versions of Who’s That Woman, Anything You Can Do, Every Day a Little Death, Impossible, Sunday in the Park with George, and Goodbye for Now
# Commentary by series creator Marc Cherry on Pilot and Guilty
# Commentary by Marc Cherry and director Larry Shaw on Anything You Can Do, Impossible, and One Wonderful Day
# Commentary by Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Nicollette Sheridan, and Teri Hatcher on their favorite scenes
# Seven deleted scenes with optional commentary by Marc Cherry
# A Stroll Down Wisteria Lane
# Desperate Housewives Around the World
# Multi-language sequence: Bree’s dinner party
# Dressing Wisteria Lane: A look at the costume and set design
# Behind the Scenes with The View’s Meredith Viera
# Secrets of Wisteria Lane
# Bloopers from the Set
# Oprah Winfrey Is The New Neighbor
FRANKLY: The second season of Desperate Housewives is very, very good. I didn’t see it on television—mostly because it went head-to-head with football—but it has proved itself to be highly entertaining. All of the different stories, dramas, and characters are great for any adult audience—be it male or female.
+ Charlie Craine
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